The Therapeutic Effect of Lactobacillus reuteri in Acute Diarrhea in Infants and Toddlers

Eom, Tae Hun; Oh, Eun Young; Kim, Young Hoon; Lee, Hyun Seung; Jang, Pil Sang; Kim, Dong Un; Kim, Jin Tack; Lee, Byung Churl

Abstract

PURPOSE
Certain strains of lactobacilli are known to accelerate recovery from acute diarrhea. Lactobacillus reuteri is isolated from human breast milk and a commonly occurring Lactobacillus species with therapeutic potential in acute diarrhea. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of L. reuteri in acute diarrhea in young children. METHODS: Fifty patients between 6 and 36 months of age hospitalized with acute diarrhea (rotavirus in 40 percent) were randomized into two groups to receive either 10 (8) colony-forming units of L. reuteri or a matching placebo, twice a day for their length of hospitalization, or for up to 5 days. Antidiarrheal drugs were not prescribed to either group. The clinical outcome of diarrhea was evaluated. RESULTS: The mean duration of watery diarrhea after initiation of treatment was 2.3 days for the L. leuteri group (n=25) vs. 2.9 days for the placebo group (n=25) (P=0.072). By the second day of treatment, watery diarrhea persisted in 64 percent of patients receiving L. reuteri, compared to 84 percent of those receiving placebo (P=0.006). On the second day, the mean frequency of watery diarrhea was 1.9 in the L. leuteri group and 3.4 in the placebo (P=0.046). Also, vomiting continued to the second day in 16 percent of patients receiving L. reuteri and 40 percent of those recieving placebo (P= 0.031). CONCLUSION: L. reuteri is effective as a therapeutic agent in acute diarrhea in children.